Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-13

Ghe @tt1 htta 9at1p E
that Miss Perkins had told ner concernml
Mrs. Darrell. The widow was young an,
pretty. Why should Jason care for her
She had come from the city and was brigh
TO have money in abundance. Oh, it wa
cruell The whole thing was cruell
| Minerva fell asleep only toward th,
dawn. She rose pale and heavy eyed fo
the morning, yet strong in the intention O
concealing her grief.
! The summer day dragged heavily toward
| noon, more heavily after. Time was 81
| long, so long. 1t seemed century since
| Miss Perkins had been there with the
! tale of Jason Hawkes. devotion to The
young widow. But the dream was over
it was Minerals task to forget thei,
pHghted VOWS, to forget the handsome
| face that had been SO dear to her
Probably he would leave the village
when he had married the widow.
Minerals eyes grew dim; she felt q
choking sensation and stepped to the open
door, hoping the soft summer breeze
would cool her hot forehead.
AS she stood there she suddenly heard a
sharp cry of distress, then something tore
past in the road, beating up the yellow
dust in binding clouds
"a runaway" she said, and her heart
seemed to cease beating for an instant.
She ran down the path and out into the
road. The horses had dashed on, but
something of wreck was perceptible a
short distance off.
Minerva thought she could see some one
lying by the roadside. She ran on toward
1t at her utmost speed.
''Oh, Jason, Jasonw she moaned, bend
ing down over him.
Not dead, thank heaven! Only stunned,
perhaps. She raised his head, loosened
his collar and asked herself what next.
Turning FOR a moment she looked back
down the road and saw some one going in
at her own gate. twas woman She
flew back toward home to ask help of
whOmever it may be.
1t was Mrs. Darrell. She was very pale
and addressed the girl anxiously.
''I'm afraid an accident has happened
Dir. Hawkes.. His team ran away''-
''He is lying in the road unconscious, "
Minerva interrupted. ''Wil you help me
some way to''-
''Let us go quickly said the other.
And SO they had lot lost an instant.
Jason had come to himself
Badly shaken up, that's ALL he said
with an unnerved laugh, and, leaning on
their arms, hmped back to Minerva's
home.
Minerva drew up the arm chair in the
sitting room, and left him there with Mrs
Darrell, going herself into the kitchen to
make q cooling drink for her guests, per-
force.
Through the open door between the
rooms she could hear Jason's voice gloomy
and disturbed
''Good thing, perhaps, If i had been
killed. Wouldn't have cared much"
ooh, but you shouldn't say that" the
soft voice of Mrs. Darrell replied. ''You
ought to care. Things may come right,
you know"
MinervG'3 heart seemed 10 twist up
within her III sudden jealous frenzy
She could fancy Just how the widows
dark, soft eyes were gazing into his; just
how her white and graceful hand Jay on
his arm
Yes, things might come right. But
why should Jason speak gloomily? She
had given him his freedom.
The hand with which she offered him
the glass of lemonade shook perceptibly.
Did Jason observe it?
II am going away tomorrow, Miss
Woodford, " he said rather stiffly. "Per-
maps / may carry your good wishes with
NE. / greatly regret having made you
his trouble"
The widow had slipped out on the porch.
cit is no trouble whatever, Mr.. |
Hawkes. replied Minerva.
''Miss Woodford," said a soft, smooth |
'oioe from out among the roses, ''won't |
Tou please come out here @ moment?"
Minerva obeyed.
The widow came near the girl and laid |
ler gentle hand upon her arm.
81 have heard so much of YOU" she |
aid, in 4 low tone. II feel as if we |
night be friends. have been trying to |
ome and see you for SO long; was on my |
way this morning. I am afraid you feel |
toward poor Jason Please, |
,lease don't feel So He has not been to |
Minerals heart was boiling within her. |
,he answered with an effort:
II was not aware of any unkind feel
ngs. 1t can interest you very little how
feel.''
ooh, but pardon me. It interests me
'Ohr' said Minerva, with sudden sar-
asm. ITO be surel forgot VIII you
'ermit me to congratulate Mr.. Hawkes."
Mrs. Darrell looked perplexed.
Congratulate? For what?''
''Upon his engagement to your said
with little gasp.
You-foolish-child! Who put such
onsense in your head9" Mrs. Darrell
7as actually laughing. "Did you fancy
why, child, am six years older than
c. Besides-I am to marry his cousin
rank, who is in Europe now. Thought
e had told you. There, now, run in to
i'm and make it all mp. I'm of for the
resent But III be back"
Minerva turned into the house with
heeks a1aIne.
Jason she said, IL think I was
DO hasty last night. lit was mis-
lke.n
Jason sprang to his feet and drew her
ito his arms.
''Who vas it that came gossiping to
on? Wasn't it Miss Perkins,
Eyes, said Minerva, slowly. 1T was
1iss Perkins. But don't believe her
view York Journal
Enriching the language.
Tennyson has at last bequeathed to the
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